Turpin Siblings Share Their Journey After Family Abuse Documentary

The Turpin siblings have emerged from a harrowing past to share their experiences in the ABC documentary special, The Turpins: A New House of Horrors. In this program, aired on February 4, 2024, Diane Sawyer interviews Julissa, Jolinda, and James Turpin as they recount the severe abuse inflicted by their parents, David and Louise Turpin, and their subsequent challenges in foster care. This documentary represents a continuation of the Turpin family’s story, following their tragic circumstances that gained international attention.

The Turpin parents were arrested in January 2018 after their son, Jordan Turpin, then 17, escaped their home in Perris, California, and alerted authorities to the horrific conditions endured by the 13 siblings. Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered the children malnourished and some were found shackled to their beds for extended periods. In February 2019, David and Louise Turpin faced 14 felony charges, including child abuse, torture, and false imprisonment. Both were sentenced to life in prison and will not be eligible for parole until 2044.

In the recent special, Sawyer revisits the Turpin case, having previously interviewed Jennifer and Jordan Turpin in 2021 for the documentary Escape from the House of Horror. This time, she speaks with three of the younger siblings about their traumatic childhoods, including the abuse they suffered from a foster father, Marcelino Olguin, during their placement in care after the state removed them from their parents’ custody.

As the Turpin children have reached adulthood, many now live independently. Julissa and Jolinda reflected on their experiences with their foster parents, who adopted several of the Turpin children. Julissa, who was only 11 at the time, shared that Olguin made inappropriate comments towards her and physically assaulted her. She described feeling unsafe and uncomfortable in that environment, stating, “I didn’t know very much, but I did know that that didn’t feel right.”

In 2024, Marcelino Olguin pleaded guilty to charges of lewd and lascivious acts against a child under 14 and received a seven-year prison sentence. His wife, Rosa, was given four years of probation.

The siblings are carving their paths as they move forward. Jennifer Turpin, now 37, celebrated her marriage in 2024 to her long-term partner, Aron, sharing her joy on Instagram with the caption, “I am so blessed to find the most amazing guy.” Jordan, now 25, has embraced her role as an influencer, amassing 1.7 million followers on TikTok, where she shares fashion content and engages with trending topics. She remains close to Jennifer, and the pair were seen together at Disneyland in August 2025.

James Turpin, also 25, expressed his desire for a normal upbringing, acknowledging the challenges he faced. “I’ve always wished I had normal parents or just someone I could like go to and rely on or ask questions or whatever, but I have the internet, so it’s okay,” he noted during his interview.

The Turpin family’s journey encapsulates resilience and survival. As they navigate their new lives, their story continues to resonate, highlighting the importance of awareness around child abuse and the complexities of recovery.